Claiming that he’s an ‘in-house consultant’ for United in the transfer market, Raiola insists that he knew the pair weren’t good enough as soon as they were signed.

‘Not if you have to perform now,’ he told the Financial Times of the duo’s suitability.

‘Martial and Depay come in and say, ‘We have to carry Manchester United, a giant institute?’

Zlatan Ibrahimovic moved to Manchester United last summer (Picture: Getty)

‘So already last year I told the people at United, ‘You’ll have to put in a guy like Zlatan to restore the balance.’ Then the attention goes to Zlatan. He has the experience, and dares take the responsibility.’